A feature set in the cutthroat world of Hollywood is heading toward the finish line.
Quiver Distribution has acquired North American rights to filmmaker Jeffrey Scott Collins’ dark heist comedy Above the Line, The Hollywood Reporter has learned. Sophia Ali, Cedric the Entertainer, Gregg Henry, Reno Wilson, Jamie Lee, Dylan Playfair, Jackson Pace and John Way round out the movie’s cast.
Following its premiere in December at the Sun Valley Film Festival, Above the Line is set to have a small theatrical run before its digital release via Quiver on June 26.
Described as being set in the same vein of Swingers and Pulp Fiction, Above the Line centers on six Hollywood hopefuls who set out to steal the best picture awards of a producer who wronged them.
Collins helmed the indie film from a script he co-wrote with Jono Matt. Ian Michaels produces for Green Step Productions, alongside Kemma Filby and Walker Barnes for Seasick Studios and Collins for This Seems Reel Entertainment. Cedric the Entertainer, who previously collaborated with Collins on Poor Greg Drowning, executive produces alongside Matt, Joe Grano, Ned Kisner, Lan Kisner and the rapper Logic.
Larry Greenberg negotiated the deal on behalf of Quiver, while Clay Epstein of Film Mode Entertainment negotiated for the filmmakers.
“Above the Line explores the desperation and lengths people will go to ‘make it,’” Collins says. “It’s centered in a world where many people are relentlessly chasing their dreams, but at its heart, it’s about the deeply human need to feel important and to belong. All of that is wrapped in a twisted love letter to the dark crime noir comedies of the ’90s that I grew up on. I’m thrilled that Larry and the rest of the Quiver team connected with the story so much, and I can’t wait to work with them, as well as Clay and the Film Mode team, to bring this film to audiences around the world.”
